The object of the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith, founded in 1873, is ‘to promote and maintain catholic teaching and practice within the Church of England’.

The object of the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith, founded in 1873, is ‘to promote and maintain catholic teaching and practice within the Church of England’.

The Society seeks to fulfill this object principally through acquiring and exercising patronage (the right to present priests to the relevant bishop for appointment as rector or vicar). It is currently the patron of 95 benefices (sole patron of 35 and joint patron of another 60).

A resolution under the House of Bishops’ Declaration on the Ministry of Bishops and Priests is in force in 27 of the 95 benefices. Where no resolution is in force, appointments are open not only to male priests ordained by bishops in the historic succession but also to women and to men whose orders derive from the ordination of women to the episcopate.

Under its Constitution, the Society is governed by a Council that is elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.

The charity’s modest income enables it to make small grants for purposes that fulfil the Society’s charitable object ‘to promote and maintain catholic teaching and practice within the Church of England’. These include grants to parishes for repairs or improvements to the fabric of the church. The Council has adopted a Grants Policy. Application should be made on the Grant Application Form.